What To Wear To ThinkFest

As part of a media company that throws many events, the question I get asked most often is: “What do I wear to ______ ?” Sometimes, the answer is easy. For Best of Philly, wear a cocktail dress. (Or, for me, a caftan.) For Philly Mag Shops, an easy-to-change-out-of outfit. For ThinkFest—Philly Mag’s weeklong event celebrating the brightest minds and most innovative ideas in Philly—well, that’s where you can have some sartorial fun. There’s the main event on Saturday, November 9th, featuring incredible speakers and discussion panels (hey, come to the panel I’m moderating on the future and importance of the city’s ever-growing retail scene!), and before that, on the 7th, a keynote event featuring a Q&A with Chris Matthews. There’s much, much more; go here for all the details and to buy tickets. So, to answer your question about what the heck to wear, Shoppist has put together some outfit inspiration just for you, including eight on-point pieces to get you through the most inspiring week in the city. Oh, and I’ve got the answer the most-asked question of all time: Can I wear jeans? See you next week!

What To Wear To Thinkfest

The Nerd Specs

Channel your inner Jenna Lyons and sport some nerd specs. Best if they're from Warby Parker. Head to Art In The Age in Old City to test 'em all out. Photo from Zara. Warby Parker glasses, from top: Webb, Thompson, Finn, Huxley, all $98.

The Buffalo Check Flannel

For cozy fall style, you can't beat a buffalo check button-down in cozy flannel. Leave the top few buttons undone, wear a delicate necklace and a pair of colored skinny pants (check out the mustard combo above!). Photo from Garance Doré. Buffalo check popover, $79.50 at Madewell.

The Full Skirt

Invest in a full, midi-length skirt. Tone down the fanciness with a simple crisp white button-down. Photo from Man Repeller. Full leather skirt, $998 at Tibi.

The Bow-Neck Blouse

Bow-neck blouses are totally throwback, but still so delightfully feminine. Photo from Vero Modo. Pierre Balmain bow-neck blouse, $381.94 at Farfetch.

The Sharp Blazer

When in doubt, wear a skinny-sleeved, sharply tailored blazer for insta-polish. My favorite one of the season is Helmut Lang's relaxed twill version. The calf-hair collar puts it over the top. Photo from Jack Wills. Helmut Lang Noa blazer, $680 at Net-a-porter.

The Blue Jeans

Yes, you can wear jeans to ThinkFest! Give your dark washes a break and choose a true blue pair. Add a statement coat, a classic pair of pointed-toe pumps and a swipe of lipstick and you're set to be inspired. MiH Oslo slim-fit jeans, $175.62 at Farfetch.

The Pencil Skirt

The key to making a tweed pencil skirt cool, not fussy, is pairing it with quirky pieces like animal-emblazoned sweaters and a chunky boot (no classic pumps, or risk looking like you're going to your 9-to-5!). Shimmer tweed Wink skirt, $128 at Nic and Zoe.

The Grandfather Cardi

A cashmere grandfather cardigan is an ideal throw-on for could-be chilly panel meeting rooms. Leave hair slightly undone (think a messy topknot) and pair it with unexpected sparkly earrings—the bigger, the better. Photo from Eat.Sleep.Wear. Chloé cashmere cardigan, $975 at Mytheresa.com.